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College Football

2024 cbhsports Arkansas Football Preview: Auburn, Texas A&M

Image Courtesy: Arkansas Razorbacks

Saturday, September 21
@ Auburn
3:30-8 PM ET, TBA
Auburn came to Fayetteville last November and dominated Arkansas by a score of 48-10. A week later, the Tigers fell to New Mexico State before losing on 4th and 31 to Alabama in the final seconds on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The point is, Hugh Freeze’s team was very up and down in his first season in Auburn that resulted in a 6-7 record. Freeze’s 2022 Liberty team also went to Fayetteville and beat the Razorbacks. However, he lost his last two games against Arkansas as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. After Auburn had the worst passing offense in the SEC last season (162.2 yards per game), former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne returns for a second year in Freeze’s system next to incoming five-star freshman receiver Cam Coleman, who starred this spring. Productive running back Jarquez Hunter returns for his senior year. Behind Hunter, Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb provide great depth. Half of Auburn’s offensive line returns, making this offense look very comfortable headed into 2024. If Payton Thorne is improved and is able to get the ball out to his receivers even better than he did in Auburn’s drubbing of Arkansas in 2023, the Tigers can definitely get another win over the Razorbacks. Freeze replaced fired defensive coordinator Ron Roberts with former Texas A&M defensive coordinator DJ Durkin. They did lose a few pieces to the NFL draft but five defensive starters return for the Tigers including sophomore defensive end Keldric Faulk, senior nose tackle Jayson Jones, senior buck Jalen McLeod, senior linebacker Eugene Asante, and senior cornerback Keionte Scott. There will be less familiarity on the defensive side of the ball with a new playcaller and less returners but a talent uptick with incoming transfers Gage Keys, Trill Carter, Philip Blidi, Isaiah Raikes, and Keyon Crawford should make Auburn fans excited. The last time Arkansas played on “The Plains”, KJ Jefferson led the Razorbacks to a 41-27 win. However, Arkansas’ new group of starters on both sides of the ball will make their trip to a raucous Jourdan-Hare Stadium crowd even tougher to play against. Projected Score: Auburn 35, Arkansas 28

Saturday, September 28
Texas A&M (Arlington)
3:30-4:30 PM ET, TBA
I’m sure every college football fan has at least heard of Texas A&M’s dominance of Arkansas since joining the Razorbacks in the SEC. In their last 11 match-ups, the Aggies have won 10 games while the Razorbacks have just won one (2021). Arkansas has held the lead at halftime in many of these games, making Razorback fans shriek. The last scheduled “Southwest Classic” game in Arlington at AT&T Stadium should be a treat in the afternoon window, as announced on SEC Network on June 14th. Fans should be excited to see this series return to College Station and Fayetteville (where the game will be played in the fall of 2025). A&M replaced head coach Jimbo Fisher with his former defensive coordinator, Duke head coach Mike Elko, who has reenergized the program with offensive coordinator hire Collin Klein (who replaces Bobby Petrino who is now back as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas) and defensive coordinator hire Jay Bateman. Klein was a fantastic college quarterback at Kansas State, where he was previously the offensive coordinator while Bateman was the inside linebackers coach at Florida. Aggie signal-caller Connor Weigman has been in and out of the lineup during his two seasons as the starting quarterback. Being coached by Bobby Petrino last season, Weigman starred in his offense last fall before a season ending injury against the Razorbacks in Arlington. Losing receivers Ainias Smith (graduation) and Evan Stewart (transfer to Oregon) will be difficult but Jahdae Walker, Moose Muhammad, and Noah Thomas are a veteran group that will be tough to defend against Arkansas’ new secondary group. Rueben Owens and Le’Veon Moss are competing to be the new starting tailback behind an offensive line that returns just one new starter, sophomore center Mark Nabou Jr.. Losing star defensive lineman Walter Nolen to Ole Miss is difficult but with Elko back as head coach, the guy who originally recruited the tremendously talented class of 2022, including senior defensive tackle Shemar Turner, who passed on the NFL this past April. Next to Turner is former Purdue defensive end (junior) Nic Scourton, sophomore defensive tackle DJ Hick and defensive end Shemar Stewart. The Aggie defense causes everyone fits so it will be up to former Aggie offensive play caller Bobby Petrino to help his offense against Elko’s talented defensive unit. This will be another close game in the “Southwest Classic” series but Texas A&M wins. Projected Score: Texas A&M 28, Arkansas 24

Projected Record: 3-3 (0-2) SEC

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College Basketball

Report: The NCAA Basketball Tournament is going to expand soon

Image Courtesy: Yahoo

In late June, SBNation and many other sources reported that the annual men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament will expand from the current 68 team model to a future 72 or 76 team format as soon as the 2025-2026 season for the 2026 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Leaders met and potential expansion was presented. The NCAA last expanded the “Big Dance” in 2011, adding the “First Four” in Dayton with games between a couple of 11 or 12 seeds and 16 seeds. Per the report, “the reason for hopeful expansion is to avoid taking out the automatic bid but also add in more talented programs and give them a shot”. 2024 NC State is a great example of what leaders want more of as the Wolfpack advanced to the Final Four as an eleven seed this past March and April. The media and fans are against it but the “NCAA is ready to take [expansion of the tournament] on” despite all of the disapproval. The women’s tournament could follow suit with expansion per CBS.

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College Football

2024 cbhsports Arkansas Football Preview: Nonconference Slate

Image Courtesy: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Thursday, August 29
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Little Rock)
7:30 PM ET, ESPNU
Arkansas will open the season in Little Rock for the second consecutive season. The Razorbacks will play the Golden Lions in Arkansas’ capital city for the second time in four seasons. The Razorbacks defeated UAPB 45-3 back on October 23, 2021 at War Memorial Stadium on their way to a 9-4 season. UAPB struggled to a 2-9 (1-7) SWAC record in 2023. Their 2023 performance included eight double digit losses and just two wins, both by one point. Three of the Golden Lions’ first four games are against Arkansas teams on Arkansas soil, first against the Razorbacks in Little Rock before returning to Pine Bluff on September 7 and Central Arkansas on September 21. The Razorbacks are the only Power 4 team UAPB will play before opening SWAC play at Alcorn State on October 5. In 2023, the Golden Lions’ offense combined for just 11 passing touchdowns, with junior QB Daemon Dawkins and sophomore QB Jalen Macon leading throwing four touchdowns each. Tailback Johness Davis enters his another season in Pine Bluff after rushing for a team leading 377 yards and a touchdown last season. Arkansas’ veteran defensive line, led by Landon Jackson, can take advantage of a majorly younger group for UAPB in the backfield. Junior receiver Kenji Lewis (429 yards and 3 TDs) and senior receiver Maurice Lloyd (198 yards and 1 TD) will challenge a relatively new secondary for the Razorbacks. Junior linebacker Rico Dozier easily led the Golden Lions with 62 tackles and 1 forced fumble in 2023. He will look to stop Razorback QB Taylen Green, running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, receiver Andrew Armstrong, and tight end Luke Hasz. If Arkansas does not win this game by twenty plus points, I will be surprised even with the lack of inspired play to end the 2023 season. This is a new Razorback team and they will take down UAPB. Projected Score: Arkansas 52, UAPB 6

Saturday, September 7
@ Oklahoma State
12 PM ET, ABC
In what will be Arkansas’ first game on ABC in a decade, Arkansas heads to Boone-Pickens Stadium to face Oklahoma State, a team that appeared in last season’s Big 12 title game. The last time Arkansas played on ABC, they crushed a Patrick Mahomes’ led Texas Tech team 49-28 in Lubbock. The Cowboys went 10-4 (7-2) Big 12 in 2023, headlined by a a three point win in the the final Bedlam game versus Oklahoma before they join Arkansas in the SEC on July 1. They finished the season with a win against another SEC team, defeating Texas A&M 31-23 in the Texas Bowl after Texas dominated the Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship game, 49-21. Oklahoma State has succeeded in recent years in the Big 12 under long time head coach Mike Gundy but a 33-7 loss to South Alabama last fall made fans and local and national media question the Cowboys early last season. Alan Bowman returns for his final year of eligibility next to Ollie Gordon II (1,732 yards, 21 TDs in 2023), arguably the best running back in the country. Gordon will be backed up by former Arkansas running back AJ Green, who played great in spots as a back up to Dominique Johnson and Rocket Sanders during his time in Fayetteville. The trio of veteran receivers Bowman has is Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens, and De’Zhaun Stribling make things that much easier for the signal caller. It will be up to a group of younger defensive backs. The Cowboys clearly have the advantage against Travis Williams’ defense that does not have many returning starters but that may not matter if Bobby Petrino can get the Razorback offense going and turn this game into a shootout. OSU’s defense must be better than it was a season ago if they want to return to the Big 12 Championship with a more competitive league in 2024. Linebacker Nick Martin accumulated 140 tackles as a freshman, earning All-Big 12 honors while safetuies Kendal Daniels and Trey Rucker both got over 100 tackles. They will be challenged by a new look Razorback offense that is looking to improve on a dismal season for the Razorbacks in 2023. Arkansas needs to win this game if Sam Pittman wants to keep his job but I don’t think they will do it on the road against one of the best programs in the Big 12. Projected Score: Oklahoma State 34, Arkansas 24

Saturday, September 14
Alabama-Birmingham (UAB)
4:15 PM ET, SECN
Arkansas’ first game in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in 2024 will be against the UAB Blazers, who enter their second season in the American Athletic Conference. Former NFL QB and longtime ESPN‘s Sunday NFL Countdown analyst Trent Dilfer also enters his second season with the Blazers. UAB went 4-8 overall in Dilfer’s first season but grabbed three of their wins against conference competition in their first season in the AAC. The last and only time Arkansas faced UAB, they dominated the Blazers 45-17 in 2014. A decade later, the the Razorbacks welcome the Blazers back to Fayetteville for a mid-September match-up. Trent Dilfer’s quarterback expertise from his time coaching at Elite 11 camp. Jacob Zeno stepped in as quarterback in year 1 under the new coaching staff, learning from Dilfer. He threw for 3,126 yards, 20 touchdown passes, and nine interceptions last fall. No starting receivers return to Birmingham so senior TJ Jones will need to lead the room in his first season as a permanent starter while tailback Isaiah Jacobs will balance the offense out. The Blazers’ defense put a lot of pressure on their offense, giving up almost 37 points a game in 2023. Outside of Alabama State transfer safety Adrian Maddox, UAB’s secondary is unproven and will be a weak point again for Dilfer’s team in 2024. This game should give new Razorback quarterback Taylen Green the opportunity to air it out to many different receivers, including Andrew Armstrong, Isaiah Sategna, Tyrone Broden, Isaac TeSlaa, former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison, and tight end Luke Hasz. Arkansas is normally challenged by quarterback friendly systems however defensive coordinator Travis Williams’ scheme of rushing the passer aggressively could improve Arkansas’ results on that side of the ball in these nonconference games and the results of SEC games, too. Projected Score: Arkansas 45, UAB 17

Saturday, November 23
Louisiana Tech (Senior Day; Military Appreciation Game)
TBA, ESPN+/SECN+
Another team that struggled during their 2023 season that Arkansas faces this fall is Louisiana Tech, who won three games overall, going 2-6 in Conference USA. Like many other SEC squads, the Razorbacks will now play against a Group of 5 opponent the second to last Saturday of the regular season. Arkansas dispatched another Conference USA member in that spot last season, FIU, on their way to a 4-8 record overall. Louisiana Tech is one of the only veteran schools still in the Conference USA that has not been poached by the American Athletic Conference, like UAB was just a year ago. Now, for their football team, Jack Turner emerged as the expected starting signal-caller for the Bulldogs last season, playing eight games. Turner threw five touchdowns and five picks in relief of last year’s starter Hank Bachmeier. Junior running back Marquis Crosby, senior right guard Jerren Gilbert, and senior left guard Bert Hale will look to comfort Turner, and other new starters in junior Solo Lewis, sophomore Marlion Jackson, senior Abdul-Fatal Ibrahim, senior tight end Nate Jones, junior left tackle Kenneth Bannister, junior center Landon Nelson, and junior right tackle Brett Canis. Arkansas’ defense might’ve been able to take chances against this Louisiana Tech offense with a lack of returning playmakers at the beginning of the season but because this game is on November 23rd, Travis Williams’ unit will have to settle in before truly taking advantage of the weaknesses of the opposing offense. The Bulldog defense allowed over 33 points a game and returning only three starters will likely mean things may not be much better this fall. Senior defensive end Mykol Clark, junior defensive end J’Dan Burnett, and senior cornerback Cedric Woods will lead this defense against a Razorback team that may have an interim head coach if Sam Pittman fails to win the first half of the season. No matter what, the Arkansas offense is talented and they will want to score in bunches so they can win this game. Arkansas defeated Louisiana Tech 21-20 back in 2016 so the Bulldogs will be looking to avenge that close defeat when they come into Fayetteville as the end of the regular season nears. Projected Score: Arkansas 42, Lousiana Tech 10

Projected Record: 3-1 (0-0) SEC

Categories
College Football

2024 cbhsports Arkansas Football Preview

Image Courtesy: The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Sam Pittman’s job will be on the line when the Razorbacks’ season begins in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium on Thursday, August 29th against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. With the infamous Bobby Petrino now back in Fayetteville next to Pittman as his offensive coordinator, the Razorbacks offense is expected to be much better than it was in 2023 under Dan Enos. With multi-year Razorbacks (QB) KJ Jefferson (UCF) and (RB) Rocket Sanders (South Carolina) transferred out, and with former Boise State QB Taylen Green and former Utah RB Ja’Quinden Jackson replacing them, the Arkansas offense moves on with one of the most experienced receiving cores in the SEC back in the fold. It will be up to the the hiring of new offensive line coach Eric Mateos to improve the worst unit on the the 2023 Razorback football team. On the other side of the ball, Arkansas lost many defenders to the transfer portal. Pittman and defensive coordinator Travis Williams remedied that by landing depth at linebacker and in the secondary. Arkansas’ special teams lost an important piece in kicker Cam Little, who has moved onto the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. So questions need to be answered there. Can Arkansas football turn it around in 2024 or will Sam Pittman will be fired? We will find ojt those answers this fall.

Multiple Game Previews (to be hyperlinked when each post is published)
6/22 UAPB, Oklahoma State, UAB, Louisiana Tech
6/29 Auburn, Texas A&M
7/13 Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State
7/20 Ole Miss, Texas, Missouri

Projected Depth Chart

QB
Starter
Taylen Green, Junior (RS)
Bench
Malachi Singleton, Freshman (RS)
KJ Jackson, Freshman
Austin Ledbetter, Freshman (RS)
Blake Boda, Freshman (RS)
With KJ Jefferson out, Bobby Petrino quickly filled his spot with Taylen Green, the former Boise State signal-caller. Green struggled with turning the ball over but did lead the Broncos to a Mountain West Championship over former Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom and UNLV. Green quickly turned heads in Fayetteville, being named the starting quarterback by Pittman and Petrino leading up to the spring game. He impressed in the spring game, throwing multiple touchdowns and showing his acumen on the ground with former Razorback QB Matt Jones like size. Behind Green, there is a lot of inexperience in the quarterback room. Second year Malachi Singleton looks like the clear second option behind Taylen while freshman KJ Jackson from Alabama, former Razorback pitcher Austin Ledbetter, and former Coastal Carolina QB Blake Boda fill out the rest of the room.

RB
Starter
Ja’Quinden Jackson, Senior
Bench
Rashod Dubinion, Junior
Braylen Russell, Freshman
Rodney Hill, Junior (RS)
Tyrell Reed, Junior
Jadan Baugh, Freshman
After talented recruiter and running backs coach Jimmy Smith exited Arkansas to go to TCU for the same job, Ja’Quinden Jackson emerged as the starting tailback for the Razorbacks after transferring from a respected Utah program coached by Kyle Whittingham. Jackson’s 2023 season was riddled with injuries but in 2022, Jackson had an incredible 2022 season. Arkansas lost four year running back Dominique Johnson to TCU and one year Isaiah Augustave to Colorado after Jackson proved himself as the starter during the spring. Second string running back Rashod Dubinion told Razorback fans that he would never enter the transfer portal, proving his loyalty to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Tremendous freshman running back Braylen Russell should be third string while new running backs coach Kolby Smith landed veteran transfers Rodney Hill from Florida State and Tyrell Reed from Hutchinson Community College. With freshman Jadan Baugh in the fold too, the post coach Jimmy Smith era of the Razorback running back room will begin.

WR
Starters
Slot: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore (RS)
Outside: Andrew Armstrong, Super Senior (RS)
Outside: Tyrone Broden, Super Senior (RS)
Bench
Isaac TeSlaa, Super Senior
Jaedon Wilson, Junior (RS)
Bryce Stephens, Junior (RS)
Jaedon Wilson, Junior (RS)
Monte Harrison, Freshman
Khafre Brown, Junior
Jordan Anthony, Sophomore
Dazmin James, Sophomore
CJ Brown, Freshman
Arkansas returns almost all of its receiving production from a season ago with elite offensive mind Bobby Petrino back in Fayetteville. Petrino knows how to get receivers open and Sam Pittman should let him have full control of the offense so that he can get his receivers wide open for Taylen Green to hit down the field. Andrew Armstrong, who led the team in receiving yards and TDs in 2023, Tyrone Broden, Isaiah Sategna, Isaac TeSlaa, Jaedon Wilson, Bryce Stephens, and Dazmin James all back in Fayetteville for another season, the Razorbacks should be able to get the ball down the field unlike they were last season. Petrino also helped Arkansas land former Texas A&M receiver Jordan Anthony, former South Florida receiver Khafre Brown, and former MLB outfielder Monte Harrison for depth at this position too.

TE
Starter
Luke Hasz, Sophomore
Bench
Tyrus Washington, Sophomore (RS)
Francis Sherman, Super Senior
Var’Keyes Gumms, Junior (RS)
Shamar Easter, Freshman (RS)
Luke Hasz was on his way to a terrific freshman campaign in 2023 before getting injured in Arlington against Texas A&M. With Bobby Petrino as his offensive coordinator, Hasz has a chance to be an All-SEC tight end for the Razorbacks next to a veteran receiving core. Former North Texas transfer Var’Keyes Gumms, Tyrus Washington, Francis Sherman, and Shamar Easter serve as great depth behind Hasz as both blockers and receiving options.

OL
Starters
LT: Fernando Carmona, Junior (RS)
LG: Brady Latham, Super Senior (RS)
OC: Addison Nichols, Sophomore (RS)
RG: Joshua Braun, Senior (RS)
RT: Keyshawn Blackstock, Junior (RS)
Bench
Joe More, Senior (RS)
Andrew Chamblee, Sophomore (RS)
Cole Carson, Junior (RS)
Patrick Kutas, Junior
Amaury Wiggins, Junior (RS)
Josh Street, Junior (RS)
Patrick Kutas, Sophomore
Ty’Kieast Crawford, Super Senior
Paris Patterson, Freshman (RS)
Terry Wells, Junior (RS)
E’Marion Harris, Sophomore (RS)
Zuri Madison, Freshman
Kobe Branham, Freshman
With former Arkansas grad assistant and Baylor offensive line coach Eric Mateos replacing Cody Kennedy as the offensive coordinator, vast improvement must be made for the Razorbacks to take a step forward from their 4-8 campaign a season ago. With Beaux Limmer being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, San José State transfer Fernando Carmona is slated to take over as left tackle, former Tennessee Volunteer Addison Nichols is expected to be in the middle at center, and Michigan State transfer Keyshawn Blackstock will likely be at right tackle. Left guard Brady Latham and right guard Joshua Braun should start in his second season since transferring from Florida.

DL
Starters
DE: Landon Jackson, Senior
DT: Cam Ball, Junior (RS)
DT: Eric Gregory, Senior (RS)
DE: Anton Juncaj, Junior
Bench
Nico Davillier, Junior
Danny Saili, Junior
JJ Hollingsworth, Sophomore (RS)
Ian Geffrard, Freshman (RS)
Kavion Henderson, Freshman
Charleston Collins, Freshman
The Razorback defensive line lost a ton of top end depth following the 2023 season. However, when pre-season All-SEC defensive end Landon Jackson announced he would return for his senior season, Arkansas had a cornerstone they could build around on defense. Anton Juncaj, a star at Albany, then announced his transfer commitment to Arkansas, joining Cam Ball and Eric Gregory on the defensive line. Nico Davilier and Danny Saili will be quality veteran depth but it will be up to younger players like JJ Hollingsworth, Ian Geffrard, Kavion Henderson, and Charleston Collins to make this group look excellent on the field this fall.

LB
Starters
Xavian Sorey, Sophomore (RS)
Brad Spence, Sophomore
Bench
Stephen Dix Jr., Junior (RS)
Anthony Switzer, Junior
Larry Worth III, Junior
Kaden Henley, Sophomore (RS)
Alex Sanford, Sophomore
Carson Dean, Freshman (RS)
Bradley Shaw, Freshman
Justin Logan, Freshman
Wyatt Simmons, Freshman
A big judgement of second year defensive coordinator Travis Williams will be how his linebacker room is after they lost Chris Paul Jr. (Ole Miss) and Jaheim Thomas (Wisconsin) to transfer and Antonio Grier, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Georgia transfer Xavian Sorey is a huge addition to help replace Paul and Thomas’ impressive production. Beyond that, returning sophomore Brad Spence showed flashes of great play during his freshman season while incoming transfers Stephen Dix Jr., Larry Worth, and Anthony Switzer are huge depth additions.

Secondary
Starters
CB: Jaylon Braxton, Sophomore
CB: Kee’yon Stewart, Senior
FS: Hudson Clark, Super Senior (RS)
SS: Jayden Johnson, Senior
NB: Doneiko Slaughter, Senior
Bench
AJ Brathwaite Jr., Senior (RS)
Miguel Mitchell, Junior
TJ Metcalf, Sophomore
Dylan Hasz, Sophomore
RJ Johnson, Freshman (RS)
Dallas Young, Freshman (RS)
Selman Bridges, Freshman
Jaden Allen, Freshman
Tevis Metcalf, Freshman
Ahkari Johnson, Freshman
If Jaylon Braxton’s phenomenal freshman season continues into his sophomore year, I expect good things from the cornerbacks even after losing Dwight McGlothern signing with the Minnesota Vikings and and Alfahiym Walcott with the Buffalo Bills. Hudson Clark and Jayden Johnson both return at safety along with the addition of veteran Tennessee nickleback Doneiko Slaughter. Senior AJ Brathwaite Jr., sophomore TJ Metcalf, and high-end four-star cornerback Selman Bridges are names to watch as the season goes along to play game time in the SEC.

Special Teams
Starters
Kicker: Matthew Shipley, Super Senior
Punter: Devin Bale, Junior
Kick-Off: Tyler Larco, Senior (RS)
Long Snapper: Eli Stein, Junior
Kick Returner: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore
Punt Returner: Isaiah Sategna, Sophomore
Special teams coordinator Scott Fountain must replace the best kicker in school history Cam Little, after he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Matthew Shipley will look to replace him. Punter Max Fletcher transferred to Cincinnati after an up and down 2023 season so Devin Bale will likely step into that spot. It will be Tyler Larco on kick-off, Eli Stein, and the speedy Isaiah Sategna returning kicks and punts for the Razorbacks.

Incoming 2024 Class (via 247sports)
94.Charleston Collins (#18DL) Little Rock, AR Wilbur D. Mills HS
101.Bradley Shaw (#8LB) Hoover, AL Hoover HS
111.Selman Bridges (#10CB) Temple, TX Lake Belton HS
KJ Jackson (#15QB) Montgomery, AL St. James School
Braylen Russell (#24RB) Benton, AR Benton HS
Kavion Henderson (#44DL) Leeds, AL Leeds HS
Justin Logan (#42LB) Marietta, GA Kell HS
Tevis Metcalf (#44ATH) Pinson, AL Clay-Chakville HS
Julius Pope (#45ATH) Batesville, MS South Panola HS
CJ Brown (#95ATH) Bentonville, AR Bentonville HS
Zuri Madison (#38IOL) Lexington, KY Frederick Douglass HS
Wyatt Simmons (#54LB) Searcy, AR Harding Academy
Jaden Allen (#91CB) Aledo, TX Aledo HS
Ahkhari Johnson (#95CB) Texarkana, TX Pleasant Grove HS
Kobe Branham (#100IOL) Fortsmith, AR Southside HS
Jeremy Cook (#162S) Hoover, AL Hoover HS
Krosse Johnson (WR) New Orleans, LA Holy Cross HS
Monte Harrison (WR) Lee’s Summit, MO Lee’s Summit West HS (Walk-On)

Transfer Additions (via 247sports)
60.RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, Senior Previous School: Utah
121.LB Xavian Sorey, Sophomore (RS) Previous School: Georgia
131.DE Anton Juncaj, Junior Previous School: Albany
241.OG Addison Nichols, Sophomore (RS) Previous School: Tennessee
310.Keyshawn Blackstock, Junior (RS) Previous School: Michigan State
328.OT Fernando Carmona, Junior (RS) Previous School: San José State
568.QB Taylen Green, Junior (RS) Previous School: Boise State
594.CB Doneiko Slaughter, Super Senior Previous School: Tennessee
647.WR Jordan Anthony, Sophomore Previous School: Texas A&M
654.CB Marquise Robinson, Junior Previous School: South Alabama
681.S Miguel Mitchell, Junior Previous School: Florida
688.RB Rodney Hill, Junior (RS) Previous School: Florida State
713.LB Larry Worth III, Junior Previous School: Jacksonville State
767.LB Anthony Switzer, Senior Previous School: Utah State
786.DL Danny Saili, Junior Previous School: BYU
858.TE Andreas Paske, Senior Previous School: Eastern Michigan
1168.LB Stephen Dix Jr., Junior (RS) Previous School: Marshall
1617.QB Blake Boda, Freshman (RS) Previous School: Coastal Carolina
NR.P/K Matthew Shipley, Super Senior Previous School: Hawaii
NR.OL Joe More, Senior (RS) Previous School: Syracuse
NR.RB Tyrell Reed, Junior Previous School: Hutchinson CC
NR.WR Khafre Brown, Junior Previous School: South Florida
NR.K Kyle Ramsey, Senior (RS) Previous School: Abilene Christian

2024 Schedule Projections
8/29 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Little Rock) Win
9/7 @ Oklahoma State Loss
9/14 Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) (Family Weekend) Win
9/21 @ Auburn Loss
9/28 Texas A&M (Arlington) Loss
10/5 Tennessee Loss
10/12 Off
10/19 LSU (Homecoming) Loss
10/26 @ Mississippi State Win
11/2 Ole Miss Win
11/9 Off
11/16 Texas Win
11/23 Louisiana Tech (Senior Day; Military Appreciation Game) Win
11/30 @ Missouri Win
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-5) SEC

Categories
College Baseball

2024 cbhsports NCAA College Baseball World Series Predictions

Image Courtesy: The Courier-Journal

The Men’s College World Series returns to Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to determine the 2024 national champion. The field is comprised of 50% ACC teams and 50% SEC teams. The ACC-SEC Challenge in Omaha will determine who is the best conference in America. Top overall seed Tennessee bounced back after a game 2 loss in game 3 against Greenville Regional champion Evansville by hitting seven bombs against the Purple Aces to move to Omaha for the second consecutive season. The Volunteers are the odds on favorite to get Tony Vitello his first national championship as head coach. Kentucky, who shared the regular season SEC title with Tennessee, won 22 games in the SEC before sweeping through the regional and super regional rounds. The Wildcats played impressive baseball to eliminate fifteen seed Oregon State, led by future MLB Draft first round pick Travis Bazzana, ending the Pac-12 conference for good. The three seed is Texas A&M, who despite losing star outfielder Braden Montgomery to a season ending injury, is playing good baseball as they head to Omaha for the first time since 2022. The combination of pitching and hitting will make them a tough out the rest of this June. The Aggies open their Omaha run against Florida, a team no one thought deserved to be in college baseball’s Big Dance. They entered the tournament with 27 overall losses going 13-17 in the SEC. Since heading to Stillwater, the Gators have gone 5-1, defeating 11.Oklahoma State and 6.Clemson on the road. Kevin O’Sullivan’s team is now playing its best baseball of the season, being led by another likely high draft pick Jac Caglianone, a terrific two way player that can hit and pitch with the best of the best. North Carolina, the national four seed, swept West Virginia in the Chapel Hill Super Regional after being challenged to a seven game regional against upstart two seed LSU. The clutch hitting of outfielder Vance Honeycutt helped lead the Tar Heels back to the College World Series for the first time since 2018. They will face twelve seed Virginia, who did not have to travel to Fayetteville for the super regional round to play 5.Arkansas, who was upset by Kansas State and SEMO, and was unable to get out of the Fayetteville Regional for the second consecutive season after making it to Omaha last in 2022. The 8.Florida State, the ACC Tournament champion, will have to face top seed Tennessee on opening night in primetime. The Seminoles dominated UConn in game one of the Tallahassee Super Regional, 24-4, before having come back against the Huskies to win game 2 and become the first team officially headed to the College World Series. Elliot Avent’s ten seeded NC State Wolfpack are back in Omaha for the first time since 2021, when they upset number one overall seed Arkansas before being eliminated because too many of their players tested positive for COVID-19. The Wolfpack are out for revenge after going on the road to beat seven seed Georgia in three games in Athens. Enjoy reading my picks for every game of the 2024 College World Series:

June 14

Game 1 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
4.North Carolina 47-14 (22-8) ACC
12.Virginia 46-15 (18-12) ACC

Carter’s Pick: 4.North Carolina

Game 2 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Tennessee 55-12 (22-8) SEC
8.Florida State 47-15 (17-12) ACC

Carter’s Pick: 1.Tennessee

June 15

Game 3 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Kentucky 45-14 (22-8) SEC
10.NC State 38-21 (18-11) ACC

Carter’s Pick: 10.NC State

Game 4 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Texas A&M 49-13 (19-11) SEC
Florida 34-28 (13-17) SEC

Carter’s Pick: Florida

June 16

Game 5 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
8.Florida State
12.Virginia

Carter’s Pick: 8.Florida State

Game 6 (7 PM ET, ESPN2)
1.Tennessee
4.North Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 4.North Carolina

June 17

Game 7 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Kentucky
3.Texas A&M

Carter’s Pick: 3.Texas A&M

Game 8 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
10.NC State
Florida

Carter’s Pick: 10.NC State

June 18

Game 9 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Tennessee
8.Florida State

Carter’s Pick: 1.Tennessee

Game 10 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Texas A&M
Florida

Carter’s Pick: 3.Texas A&M

June 19

Game 11 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Tennessee
4.North Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 1.Tennessee

Game 12 (6 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Texas A&M
10.NC State

Carter’s Pick: 3.Texas A&M

June 20

Game 13 (If Necessary) (TBA, ESPN)
Bracket 1
1.Tennessee
4.North Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 4.North Carolina

Game 14 (If Necessary) (TBA, ESPN2)
Bracket 2
3.Texas A&M
10.NC State

Carter’s Pick: 3.Texas A&M

Championship Series

June 22

Game 1 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Texas A&M
4.North Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 3.Texas A&M

June 23

Game 2 (3 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Texas A&M
4.North Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 4.North Carolina

June 24

Game 3 (If necessary) (7 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Texas A&M
4.North Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 3.Texas A&M

2024 College World Series Champion: 3.Texas A&M

Categories
College Baseball

2024 cbhsports NCAA College Baseball Super Regionals Predictions

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

(All game times eastern)

Super Regionals (June 7-9)

Knoxville Super Regional (Knoxville, TN)
1.Tennessee 53-11 (22-8) SEC
Evansville 38-24 (17-10) Missouri Valley

Carter’s Pick: 1.Tennessee in 2
Tennessee has been the best team all season and they continued to prove it by sweeping the Knoxville Regional. The Volunteers’ opponent is Evansville, the ninth ever four seed to appear in the super regional round. Can the Purple Aces become the second four seed (Oral Roberts) to appear in the College World Series, or will the Volunteers dominate their way to Omaha? As the favorites to win it all, Tennessee should sweep Evansville.

Game 1: June 7, 3 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 8, 11 AM ET, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 9

Tallahassee Super Regional (Tallahassee, FL)
8.Florida State 45-15 (17-12) ACC
Connecticut 35-24 (17-4) Big East

Carter’s Pick: 8.Florida State in 3
Florida State swept their own regional with wins over Stetson and UCF. UConn went to Norman and went 3-1 as they beat host Oklahoma twice to advance to the super regionals. Playing in Tallahassee should be tough for the Huskies, but they just won a regional on the road. Florida State will win two of three over UConn to move to Omaha for the first time since 2017.

Game 1: June 7, 12 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: June 8, 11 AM ET, ESPN
Game 3 (If necessary): June 9

Chapel Hill Super Regional (Chapel Hill, NC)
4.North Carolina 45-14 (22-8) ACC
West Virginia 36-22 (19-11) Big 12

Carter’s Pick: 4.North Carolina in 3
North Carolina was given a tough draw when the NCAA Tournament committee put LSU in their regional. In three excellent games between the Tigers, the Tar Heels won two of those games, advancing to the super regionals for the first time since 2022. The last time they were in the supers, the Tar Heels were swept by Arkansas so Scott Forbes’ team should be laser focused on West Virginia. The Mountaineers went to Tucson and won the regional after future Big 12 foe and regional host Arizona lost back to back games to be eliminated. West Virginia’s first super regional appearance ever will be tough to win with the talent of the North Carolina roster.

Game 1: June 7, 6 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 8, 8 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 9

Charlottesville Super Regional (Charlottesville, VA)
12.Virginia 44-15 (18-12) ACC
Kansas State 35-24 (15-15) Big 12

Carter’s Pick: 12.Virginia in 3
Virginia’s red hot offense helped them sweep through their own regional. Many Cavalier fans thought they would have to travel to Fayetteville to face the five seed Arkansas Razorbacks. However, Arkansas lost to Kansas State in the 1-0 game before taking a season ending loss on Sunday to Southeast Missouri State. The Wildcats pose a ton of challenges, playing some of the best “small ball” teams in the country. Virginia will win this super but it will take all three games to do so.

Game 1: June 7, 7 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 8, 3 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 9

Super Regionals (June 8-10)

Clemson Super Regional (Clemson, SC)
6.Clemson 44-14 (20-10) ACC
Florida 31-28 (13-17) SEC

Carter’s Pick: Florida in 3
The reigning national championship runners-up Florida Gators upset eleven seed Oklahoma State to move onto the super regionals. The Cowboys have now failed to get out of their own regional for the third consecutive season after losing to Arkansas in 2022, Oral Roberts in 2023, and now the Gators this past weekend. Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan (alongside now Clemson head coach Erik Bakich who was also an assistant on that staff) was an assistant at Clemson before winning the 2017 National Title. A team that many thought should not have been in the tournament is playing its best baseball of the season. On the other hand, Clemson was able to get out of their own regional a year after Tennessee eliminated them. The Tigers will be challenged when the Gators come to town this weekend. In what should be a close series, Florida will make it back to Omaha for the second consecutive season.

Game 1: June 8, 2 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: June 9, 2:30 PM ET, ESPN
Game 3 (If necessary): June 10

College Station Super Regional (College Station, TX)
3.Texas A&M 47-13 (19-11) SEC
Oregon 41-18 (19-11) Pac-12

Carter’s Pick: 3.Texas A&M in 2
Texas A&M swept through their regional with wins over Grambling, Texas, and Louisiana. Oregon did the same, going on the road to Santa Barbara and defeating San Diego and UC-Santa Barbara before moving to the super regionals for the second consecutive season. The Aggies should sweep their way to Omaha with all of the great pitching and hitters they have on their roster.

Game 1: June 8, 2 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 9, 7:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 10

Athens Super Regional (Athens, GA)
7.Georgia 42-15 (17-13) SEC
10.NC State 36-20 (18-11) ACC

Carter’s Pick: 10.NC State in 3
Wes Johnson has finally gotten Georgia back in the super regionals with Charlie Condon continuing to break home run records. In a repeat of sixteen years ago, Georgia eliminated Georgia Tech to advance to the super regionals to face NC State. The Wolfpack is back in the supers for the first time since 2021, when they made it to Omaha and were disqualified because many players on their roster tested positive for COVID-19. NC State will pull a mini upset of the Bulldogs and get back to Omaha, looking for redemption for their 2021 team.

Game 1: June 8, 12 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 9, 12 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 10

Lexington Super Regional (Lexington, KY)
2.Kentucky 43-14 (22-8) SEC
15.Oregon State 45-14 (19-10) Pac-12

Carter’s Pick: 2.Kentucky in 3
In what should be a fantastic match up, Kentucky has a chance to make it to Omaha and the College World Series for the first time ever. Oregon State is looking to make it back to Omaha for the first time since 2018, when they won the National Championship. The Wildcats will finally break through and make it to the College World Series.

Game 1: June 8, 6 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 9, 9 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 10

Categories
NBA

2024 cbhsports NBA Finals Preview

Image Courtesy: Celtics Blog

2024 NBA Finals
1.Boston Celtics (64-18)
5.Dallas Mavericks (50-32)

Schedule
*If necessary*
Game 1: June 6, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden)
Game 2: June 9, 8 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden)
Game 3: June 12, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Dallas; American Airlines Center)
Game 4: June 14, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Dallas; American Airlines Center)
*Game 5*: June 17, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden)
*Game 6*: June 20, 8:30 PM ET, ABC (Dallas; American Airlines Center)
*Game 7*: June 23, 8 PM ET, ABC (Boston; TD Garden)

The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics and the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks meet in the 2024 NBA Finals, beginning tomorrow night at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics handled the eastern conference playoffs relatively easily, defeating the Miami Heat in the quarterfinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers in the semifinals, and the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. A common denominator can be found in all three of the teams that Boston beat; injuries to their star player. Miami’s Jimmy Butler, Cleveland’s Donavan Mitchell, and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton all were out injured during some or all of the Celtics’ series wins during the 2024 NBA playoffs up to this point. But, to all of the people on social media saying Boston only won because of their opponents’ injured stars, it was not because of a lack of a great performance by the Celtics. Led by Eastern Conference Finals MVP (guard/forward) Jaylen Brown (25 points and 6.1 rebounds per game during the playoffs), forward Jayson Tatum (26 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists), guard Derrick White (17.8 points and 4.6 assists), and guard Jrue Holiday (12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals) Boston advanced to play Dallas in the Finals. In addition, star Boston forward Kristaps Porzingis is expected to return to the court for game 1 the Finals from a “strained soleus” injury. Porzingis, a former Dallas Maverick, play his first game since game four of their first round series against the Miami Heat on April 29th. For Dallas, the mid-season additions at the trade deadline of former Charlotte Hornets forward PJ Washington (13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds) former Washington Wizards forward/center Daniel Gafford (9.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped support guards (and Western Conference Finals MVP) Luka Doncic (28.8 points, 9.6 points, and 8.8 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (22.8 points and 5.2 assistants) on their run through the western conference playoffs for their first Finals appearance since 2011, where they upset the “Big 3” Miami Heat led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers to open the playoffs in the quarterfinals before taking down the top seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinal, and finally eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. The guard match up between Luke Doncic and Kyrie Irving and Derrick White and Jrue Holiday should be fantastic. Dallas will need to find match ups defensively for Boston’s pairing of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum without a true shutdown wing defender on their roster. The hot scoring duo Doncic and Irving in the Dallas backcourt will be challenged when they face two All-NBA defenders in Holiday and White for Boston. The coaching battle of Boston’s Joe Mazzula and Dallas’ Jason Kidd will be one of the best in recent in memory. The strategy on each coach’s clip board will be important in determining the winner of a series that should be close. With each team having a prominent player on their roster that played for the other team previously (Dallas’ Kyrie Irving and Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis), this should be an intense series that goes at least six or seven games.

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks in 7

I hope everyone enjoys the 2024 NBA Finals :).